Special occasion

"I'm undeserving of that compliment. Any half-decent merchant would see through your scheme right away," Reeva said, maintaining a polite but firm tone.

"You'd be surprised how many aren't half-decent merchants," Landlong replied, grinning from ear to ear. "Just yesterday, I secured the signature dish from Mity Crab Restaurant to serve at my place. I'm offering you the same deal, even though your operation is much smaller. Couldn't you consider it, just a bit?"

"Sir, I'd be cutting off my own hand if I gave you that recipe. You'd just tweak it slightly and call it something else to avoid paying me."

Reeva's response drew a chuckle from Rudoff. "I took my shot, but it seems it wasn't just drifting—it was steering."

"The tide does favor that," Reeva agreed.

"A fellow sailor?" Landlong asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I've just heard it a lot."